Habit of a Russian Market Woman in 1764

by Thomas Jefferys

Take a journey back to the thriving markets of St. Petersburg in the 18th century through this captivating engraving from 1764. Engraved by Thomas Jefferys in 1764, this artwork provides an intriguing insight into the society of Catherine the Great’s Russia. Jefferys portrays the rustic grace of the Russian market woman, who combines the functionality necessary for trading with the silhouette styles of the time. Her clothing, which consists of the heavy materials and headdress typical of pre-industrial Russia, acts as a tangible representation of her culture.

This print does not merely depict an item of clothing but rather presents a portrait of the woman who was the driving force behind the city's economy during the Enlightenment period.